fail to seize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to seize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing missed opportunities or situations where someone did not take advantage of a chance. Example: "Many investors fail to seize the moment when the market presents a unique opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

They worry that judges will fail to seize the homes of poor defaulters.

The Economist

Of course, the new president may fail to seize the moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why, then, did the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, and the other crucial proponents of the ban fail to seize Justice O'Connor's virtual invitation to add this exception?

The New York Times

If we want to avoid a rejection at the next European elections we have to act now: history will not spare those who fail to seize this opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have an historic opportunity to reform Albany, and if we fail to seize it, history will not forgive us — and neither will the people who sent us here to lead," he said.

The New York Times

What other explanation can there be for Tuesday's farcical maneuvers, which saw the House Republican leadership try and fail to seize the initiative in the debt-ceiling standoff from the Senate, in the process humiliating Speaker Boehner yet again.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But Arabs failed to seize the moment.

The New York Times - Arts

"But the movement has really failed to seize the day".

The New York Times

Lallana, initially so bright, ultimately failed to seize his moment.

The Guardian - Sport

In this respect he failed to seize the occasion he had made.

The Economist

In 312 bce the region was attacked by Seleucid forces, who failed to seize the city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to seize" when you want to emphasize the consequences of inaction or a missed opportunity. This phrase is suitable for formal and analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences using "fail to seize" in a passive voice. It diminishes the impact of the subject's inaction. Instead of "The opportunity was failed to be seized", use "They failed to seize the opportunity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to seize" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of action or inability to take advantage of an opportunity. Ludwig examples show it used to describe missed chances in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to seize" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that denotes a missed opportunity due to inaction or inability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to express regret, criticism, or cautionary analysis. Related phrases include "miss the opportunity" and "neglect to capitalize on". When using this phrase, it's best to emphasize the subject's inaction rather than employing passive voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miss the opportunity

Focuses on the lost chance rather than the failure to act.

neglect to capitalize on

Emphasizes the neglect in leveraging an advantage.

fail to take advantage of

Highlights the failure in utilizing available resources or opportunities.

overlook the chance

Suggests a lack of awareness or attention to the opportunity.

drop the ball

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to fulfill a responsibility or take advantage of an opportunity.

let slip through your fingers

Emphasizes the loss of something valuable due to inaction.

miss out on

Simple and direct way to express a missed opportunity.

not grasp the opportunity

Highlights a lack of understanding or recognition of the opportunity.

pass up the chance

Indicates a conscious decision to forego an opportunity.

fumble the opportunity

Suggests clumsiness or incompetence in handling the opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to seize" in a sentence?

Use "fail to seize" to indicate a missed opportunity due to inaction or inability. For example: "If we "fail to seize" this moment, we may regret it later."

What are some alternatives to "fail to seize"?

Alternatives include "miss the opportunity", "neglect to capitalize on", or "fail to take advantage of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failed to seize" or "did not seize"?

"Failed to seize" implies a stronger sense of missed potential and negative consequences compared to the more neutral "did not seize". The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "fail to seize" and "refuse to seize"?

"Fail to seize" indicates an inability or neglect, while "refuse to seize" implies a deliberate choice not to act. They differ in the intention behind the inaction.